Residents register, vote in one stop; early balloting under way

CLEVELAND -- At 39, Titus White had never voted. Never even registered to vote.

But Sen. Barack Obama has gotten him interested in politics, so White decided it was time for a change.

On Tuesday, the Cleveland construction worker went to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to register and was surprised to learn he could vote at the same time.

"I really like that. Coming back, that cuts into the day," said White.

Tuesday was the first day of early voting in Ohio for the Nov. 4 election. It was also the first of seven days an Ohio resident could register and vote in one board visit.

Early voting survived court challenges on Monday and Tuesday from the Ohio Republican Party. A federal district court, federal appeals court and the Ohio Supreme Court have now ruled in favor of early voting.

In Cuyahoga County, 558 peoplecast a ballot Tuesday, including 142people who either registered for the first time or made a change on their registration.

Voters in Columbus set up tents Monday night outside the Franklin County board, but in Cleveland, only a handful of people were waiting when the county board opened.

"I thought based on phone calls that there would be a line," said Jane Platten, the Cuyahoga board director.

Outside the board, a woman holding an umbrella walked with a sign supporting the county library district's November ballot issue. Absent were placards for the major presidential candidates, Obama and Sen. John McCain.

Rain probably kept campaigners and voters away. Platten said she expects the coming days to be busy with buses full of voters coming from college campuses, homeless shelters and union halls.

A dozen people did take a van from the Service Employees International Union Local 3 union hall to vote. Several other voters had young children in tow.

The process to register and apply for an absentee ballot should take less than 20 minutes, Platten said.

Frances Young's wait was 30 minutes. She also filled out an application for an absentee ballot for the Oct. 14 primary election in the 11th Congressional District.

Young had no complaints. "A lot of people register and don't vote," she said. She spoke from experience. On Tuesday, the 41-year-old, who has been registered for years, cast her first vote.

Arionne Willis is not a first-time voter. She decided to vote Tuesday after learning she could change her address and vote at the same time.

"It was quick and easy," said the 24-year-old Clevelander.

The only place in the county where people can register and vote on the same day is at the board, 2925 Euclid Ave. Voter registration ends on Monday. Early voting goes through Nov. 3.

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